“If you don't mind a word of advice, one never asks a lady to set her own price. If you have to ask, the answer will always be more than you can afford.”

“How many times would I damn myself for you? Ask me that.""How many?" she said faintly, her eyes searching his face. She stopped breathing to hear his answer."Till the gates of hell close," he said flatly.”

“In fact, you should take a nap this afternoon, because there won't be much sleep tonight. Imean to have you every way I can. I mean to intoxicate you and torment you so that you know preciselyhow I feel about you." His finger trailed down her cheek and tipped up her chin."Don't mistake what is going to happen tonight." His voice was sinful, dark and hoarse. "You will neverforget the imprint of my skin after tonight, Esme. Waste your life chitchatting with ladies in lace caps.Raise your child with the help of your precious Sewing Circle. But in the middle of all those lonely nights,you will never, ever, forget the night that lies ahead of us.”

“A lady should never feel anxious about her behavior. The status is bred in the bone. To show anxiety is to lower oneself. Anxiety is vulgar.”

“She gave a sigh and turned to meet Rafe's sardonic glance."He's not for you," Rafe said, leaning close to her."I can't think what you mean," Imogen said loftily, accepting a glass of lemonade from Brinkley."You know precisely what I mean, you little witch," Rafe said, and there wasn't even a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "You mean to have him, don't you? I've seen that look in your eyes before. That look has had you in trouble before.”

“In case there is any question in your mind," he said, cupping her face with his hands. "What I want, what I most desire, the loveliest sight on this dark earth, is you.”

“I woke up this morning,” Gabriel said, “thinking of nothing more than rolling over and pulling you into my arms and kissing you again. Kissing: only kissing. As if I were a green boy of fourteen. In case you don’t realize it, Kate, kissing is not a man’s usual inclination in the morning.”